Running Log

Graham Pearce blazed a trail over 23 miles of frozen countryside to destroy his own course record by over ten minutes in the ROMBALDS STRIDE.

The Saturday event, in support of the 15th Airedale Scout group, is aimed at runners and walkers and incorporates over 3,000 feet of ascent.

Blue skies greeted the fully subscribed field at the race headquarters in Guiseley but, with temperatures below freezing and heavy snow forecast, speed was of the essence.

The heavy frost meant a much faster racing surface than the usual moorland bogs but tested many tired knees and ankles close to destruction.

The leading pack set a fierce Pace on the descent through Esholt to Tong Park, before common sense prevailed during the first serious climb of the day to Baildon Moor trig point.

As the field stretched out, Pearce broke clear with Pudsey & Bramley team-mate Richard Pattinson in pursuit and the pair continued to pull away from all challengers on the long climb to Lanshaw Lad on Ilkley Moor.

Lee Morley (Ilkley) then made a decisive move across the icy and rutted moor top beyond Whetstone Gate, mixing a good line with a speedy descent.

This pushed him into a first three which remained unchanged over the moorland paths to Burley Woodhead and the final punishing climb over Otley Chevin to the finish.

Pearce maintained his advantage to set a new course best of two hours 27 minutes.

Jo Waites (Calder Valley) set an exceptionally fast time in the ladies race to win convincingly in 3hr 2min.

* The increasingly popular BRADFORD PARK RUN 5K boasted 130 finishers and course personal bests for men’s race winner Nigel Armitage (Pudsey Pacer) in 17min 25sec and for Steph Wilson (Saltaire) and Denise Johnson (Baildon), who were first home among the ladies.

* The ST WILFRED’S ‘MUDDY BOOTS’ 10K near Ripon saw a field of 178 tackle a multi-terrain course smothered by several inches of snow on Sunday.

Emma Stoney (Baildon Runners) led the women’s race home, over a minute ahead of Ann Dale (Wetherby).

Matt John (Otley AC) was a clear winner of the men’s race in exactly 36 minutes.